Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Legal Program Specialist

Washington, DC
Full Time
General Legal
Mid Level
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

The Lawyers’ Committee has litigation, public policy, and advocacy programs in the substantive areas of Voting Rights, Election Protection, Digital Justice, Economic Justice, Criminal Justice, Economic Opportunities, and Fair Housing.  The organization advances its mission as the premier organization marshaling the resources of the private bar alongside our own talented staff, with over 1 million pro bono hours billed to our cases and matters over the past decade.

Job Title: Legal Program Specialist
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Full-Time
Union Affiliation: Union
Accountable to: Chief Counsel(s)

About the Role:
The Legal Program Specialist provides specialized legal and programmatic support to the Chief Counsel(s) and coordinates defined workstreams for the Lawyers’ Committee’s Protecting and Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (PADEI) Pro Bono Initiative and related projects. The role independently handles assigned pro bono initiative intake, documentation, reporting, scheduling, and stakeholder follow-up using established procedures and sound judgment. Attorneys retain responsibility for legal advice, conflict determinations, representation decisions, and substantive legal work.
The Legal Program Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Chief Counsel(s) and works closely with the Director, PADEI, with regular input on complex, sensitive, and higher-risk matters.

What You’ll be Doing:
Essential responsibilities of the Legal Program Specialist include, but are not limited to the following: 
  • Provide general administrative support, including arranging travel and accommodations, assisting in the preparation of expense reports, and scheduling meetings.
  • Prepare, compile, edit, and proofread internal and external reports, including weekly reports and Board Books; verify completeness and accuracy and obtain required review before distribution.
  • Aid in the planning, organization, and coordination of internal and external events, conferences, convenings, and meetings.
  • Maintain listservs, collaborative documents, agendas, minutes, and action-item trackers; document decisions and follow up on assigned deliverables.
  • Provide administrative coordination and documentation support to the Chief Counsel(s) for grievance-related matters within the legal units, as directed and consistent with confidentiality requirements.
  • Serve on development and implementation teams for office technology used by the legal units; identify workflow issues and recommend practical improvements for review.
  • Provide limited litigation support in discrete matters, including preparing and coordinating applications and motions for court admission under attorney direction and review.
  • Assist in researching, identifying, and coordinating with potential outside services consultants and/or vendors, as requested.
  • Research topics and issues relevant to the substantive work of the organization as requested; organize source materials and findings for attorney review.
  • Take detailed meeting notes, maintain organized records, and communicate outstanding tasks, delays, and issues requiring supervisor attention.
  • Coordinate assigned technical and programmatic components of the Lawyers’ Committee’s Protecting and Advancing DEI Pro Bono Initiative and related projects:
     
    • Coordinate the pro bono initiative intake process, including collecting and reviewing intake information for completeness, running conflict checks for attorney review, and preparing and sending attorney-approved retainers.
    • Correspond with prospective clients, clients, and co-counsel firms regarding intake, scheduling, documentation, and matter status within the scope of assigned responsibilities; refer substantive legal questions to attorneys.
    • Scheduling client meetings.
    • Maintain accurate intake and matter data, reconcile missing or inconsistent information, and prepare funder reports for review as requested.
    • Track pro bono matters through the end of representation, maintain status and deadline records, coordinate regular team check-in calls, and flag overdue follow-up or barriers for attorney attention.
    • Develop accurate, accessible PowerPoint presentations about the pro bono initiative for internal and external stakeholders, subject to appropriate review.
    • Prepare and maintain technical support resources for coalition partners using approved information and guidance.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies:
  • Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
  • Three to five years of relevant legal, administrative, technical, or programmatic support experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate defined workstreams independently.
  • Clear oral and written communication, strong interpersonal skills, and effective coordination across teams and with external stakeholders.
  • Technical and programmatic judgment: independently execute assigned workstreams, prioritize competing deadlines, resolve routine coordination problems, and seek guidance on unfamiliar, sensitive, or higher-risk matters.
  • Proficiency with technology used by legal organizations, including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), shared document systems, and intake or matter-tracking tools; ability to maintain accurate data and documentation.
  • Familiarity with litigation support procedures, court admission requirements, and electronic filing systems desired.
  • Ability to become familiar with preparing and coordinating court admission applications and related motions, verifying required supporting materials and deadlines, and submitting filings under attorney direction and review.
  • Ability to collect and review intake information, follow established conflict-check procedures, prepare attorney-approved engagement documents, and communicate professionally with prospective clients, clients, and co-counsel firms while referring substantive legal questions to attorneys.
  • Ability to maintain intake and matter records, monitor status and deadlines, reconcile missing or inconsistent data, and compile accurate program and funder reports for review.
  • Ability to organize meetings, events, and convenings; coordinate calendars, travel, accommodations, and expense documentation; and research and follow up with consultants and vendors within established procedures.
  • Ability to locate and organize reliable source materials, summarize findings for attorney review, and prepare clear, accessible presentations and technical support resources using approved information.
  • Ability to prepare agendas, record accurate minutes and action items, maintain organized records and follow-up, and provide discreet administrative support for grievance-related matters under management direction.
  • Strong attention to detail, proofreading skills, organized recordkeeping, and reliable verification of reports and supporting materials.
  • Identify bottlenecks, communicate risks and delays promptly, recommend improvements, and follow through on approved actions.
  • Protect sensitive and privileged information, follow established access and document-handling procedures, and recognize when attorney or supervisor review is needed.
  • Desire to work in and comfort with a diverse, inclusive environment.
  • Deep commitment to advancing civil rights and racial justice with respect for differences regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances.
  • Experience working in diverse environments.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!

Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend. 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, immigration status, union activities, political affiliation, military veteran status, credit information or any other status protected under law.

Reasonable Accommodation: The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.

The expected range for this role will be: $74,000–$82,300

 
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